As the start of spring/summer finally seems to be upon us, now is the perfect time to start giving your garden a spruce up ready to enjoy the outside in the warmer months to come. Whether you use your garden occasionally for a morning coffee, for a sunny evening glass of wine, or to entertain friends and family, here is a rundown of some of the big gardening trends for 2018.
The British weather may be unpredictable, but that doesn’t stop many of us enjoying the Mediterranean lifestyle over the summer months by dining alfresco. Outdoor entertaining spaces are key this year – not only perfect for spending time outside but also practical if you lack space in your kitchen. Create a sophisticated yet comfortable area on your patio area complete with luxurious outdoor seating and an outdoor table you and your guests can pop a drink and some nibbles.
For those of you that love to inject colour into your interior and exterior spaces, this trend will be right up your street. The ‘Verdure’ current palette is big business for gardens this year and incorporates the colours you would expect to find in lush woodland like redwood, berry-toned purples, green or soft blue.
If you have rattan chairs, why not add some bright coloured cushions? If you really want to make the most of the trend – paint old furniture like your garden table and chairs set that’s beginning to look a bit tired, or the wooden features around your garden – sheds and fences are the obvious choice here and could look great painted in a soft eggshell blue and decorated with an abundance of solar fairy lights (solar lighting is another big trend!).
Mindfulness has become hugely popular in the past few years. This year we’ve noticed that mindfulness – the ancient Buddhist tradition of immersing yourself in the moment – has reached the garden. In order to take advantage of this ‘trend’ we would suggest you opt for elements which stimulate the senses. A water feature is a great option to create a relaxing ambience. If you have the option to install a water feature where you already have a garden set or a couple of outdoor chairs, you are able to create the perfect spot to have 15 minutes to yourself reflecting on your day or reading a book.
Finally, with veganism and sustainability having become a lifestyle taking the world by storm in the past decade, the ‘grow your own’ movement will really grow in popularity over the course of 2018. A greenhouse is a great investment if you are looking to become more sustainable however if you don’t have much space there are plenty of vegetables you can grow vertically, like peas and runner beans! Growing your own vegetables is also a great thing to do if you have younger children slowing watching their precious vegetables week by week before they end up on their dinner plates!
What will you be doing in your garden in the coming weeks and months to get it ready for the British summer we all crave so much?